Venkatesh Iyer has been added to the Indian cricket team’s list of all-rounders, but before IPL 2021, most of the cricket even never heard his name. He was added to India’s T20I squad for the home series against New Zealand. Iyer played all three matches against New Zealand and performed decently, considering his batting position.
Venkatesh Iyer, who is primarily an opener for his IPL team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, came to bat at a very low position in this series.
In the Megha Auction of IPL 2022, Venkatesh was once again bought by his old team Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 12.25 crore.
Venkatesh Iyer is a left-handed batsman as well as a right-arm medium pace bowler. His average speed is around 120 to 125 km per hour.
Career Stats
Venkatesh Iyer Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Debut | Last Match | Notable Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 9 | 7 | 3 | 133 | 35* | 33.25 | 162.19 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | Nov 17, 2021, vs. NZ (4 runs) | Feb 27, 2022, vs. SL (5 runs) | 35* off 19 vs. WI (Feb 18, 2022) |
| ODI | 2 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 22 | 12.00 | 63.15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Jan 19, 2022, vs. SA (2 runs) | Jan 23, 2022, vs. SA (22 runs) | 22 off 33 vs. SA (Jan 23, 2022) |
| IPL | 50 | 48 | 6 | 1,326 | 104 | 31.57 | 137.13 | 1 | 11 | 128 | 56 | Sep 20, 2021, vs. RCB (41*) | May 26, 2024, vs. SRH (52*) | 104 off 51 vs. MI (Apr 16, 2023) |
| First-Class | 20 | 32 | 2 | 1,132 | 135 | 34.73 | – | 2 | 7 | 134 | 15 | Dec 6, 2018, vs. Hyderabad | Feb 23, 2025, vs. Bengal | 135 vs. Gujarat (Feb 2023) |
| List A | 43 | 40 | 7 | 1,458 | 198 | 44.18 | – | 2 | 9 | 122 | 46 | Oct 2015 (exact date unclear) | Dec 27, 2024, vs. Mumbai | 198 vs. Punjab (Dec 2021) |
| T20 (Overall) | 121 | 108 | 17 | 2,523 | 104 | 28.03 | 136.57 | 1 | 17 | 234 | 103 | 2015 (exact date unclear) | Feb 25, 2025, vs. Railways | 104 off 51 vs. MI (IPL, Apr 16, 2023) |
Venkatesh Iyer Bowling Statistics (As of March 21, 2025)
| Format | Matches | Innings | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4w | 5w | Debut | Last Match | Notable Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 9 | 4 | 9.0 | 65 | 5 | 2/23 | 13.00 | 7.22 | 10.80 | 0 | 0 | Nov 17, 2021, vs. NZ | Feb 27, 2022, vs. SL | 2/23 vs. WI (Feb 16, 2022) |
| ODI | 2 | 1 | 5.0 | 28 | 0 | – | – | 5.60 | – | 0 | 0 | Jan 19, 2022, vs. SA | Jan 23, 2022, vs. SA | 0/28 vs. SA (Jan 19, 2022) |
| IPL | 50 | 8 | 16.2 | 154 | 3 | 2/29 | 51.33 | 9.45 | 32.66 | 0 | 0 | Sep 20, 2021, vs. RCB | May 26, 2024, vs. SRH | 2/29 vs. MI (Apr 16, 2023) |
| First-Class | 20 | 24 | 176.4 | 528 | 15 | 3/28 | 35.20 | 2.98 | 70.66 | 0 | 0 | Dec 6, 2018, vs. Hyderabad | Feb 23, 2025, vs. Bengal | 3/28 vs. Vidarbha (Dec 2022) |
| List A | 43 | 26 | 141.5 | 622 | 23 | 3/41 | 27.04 | 4.38 | 37.00 | 0 | 0 | Oct 2015 (exact date unclear) | Dec 27, 2024, vs. Mumbai | 3/41 vs. Karnataka (Nov 2023) |
| T20 (Overall) | 121 | 58 | 128.5 | 973 | 42 | 4/28 | 23.16 | 7.55 | 18.40 | 1 | 0 | 2015 (exact date unclear) | Feb 25, 2025, vs. |
Venkatesh Iyer Wiki, Age, Height, Weight, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Venkatesh Rajasekaran Iyer |
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Age | 30 years (as of March 21, 2025) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Indian |
| Father | Rajasekaran Iyer (clerk in a corporate office) |
| Mother | Usha Iyer (chief nurse, Apollo Hospital) |
| Siblings | Priya Lakshmana Rao (elder sister) |
| Marital Status | Engaged |
| Fiancée | Shruti Raghunathan (engaged November 22, 2023) |
| Children | None |
| Education | B.Com (St. Paul’s College, Indore), MBA (Finance, Symbiosis Pune) |
| Early Career | CA Intermediate (dropped out), worked at Deloitte (2018) |
| Height | 6’4″ (1.93 m, per media reports) |
| Weight | Approx. 80-85 kg (estimated from visuals) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium |
| Role | All-rounder |
| T20I Debut | November 17, 2021, vs. New Zealand (Jaipur, 4 runs) |
| ODI Debut | January 19, 2022, vs. South Africa (Paarl, 2 runs) |
| Last T20I | February 27, 2022, vs. Sri Lanka (Dharamsala, 5 runs) |
| Last ODI | January 23, 2022, vs. South Africa (Cape Town, 22 runs) |
| T20I Matches | 9 |
| T20I Runs | 133 (Avg: 33.25, SR: 162.19, HS: 35*) |
| T20I Wickets | 5 (Avg: 13.00, Econ: 7.22, Best: 2/23) |
| ODI Matches | 2 |
| ODI Runs | 24 (Avg: 12.00, SR: 63.15, HS: 22) |
| ODI Wickets | 0 |
| IPL Team | Kolkata Knight Riders (2021-present) |
| IPL Debut | September 20, 2021, vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore (Abu Dhabi, 41*) |
| IPL Matches | 50 |
| IPL Runs | 1,326 (Avg: 31.57, SR: 137.13, HS: 104) |
| IPL 100s/50s | 1/11 |
| IPL Wickets | 3 (Avg: 51.33, Econ: 9.45, Best: 2/29) |
| First-Class Debut | December 6, 2018, vs. Hyderabad (Ranji Trophy) |
| First-Class Matches | 20 |
| First-Class Runs | 1,132 (Avg: 34.73, HS: 135) |
| First-Class Wickets | 15 (Avg: 35.20, Best: 3/28) |
| List A Matches | 43 |
| List A Runs | 1,458 (Avg: 44.18, HS: 198) |
| List A Wickets | 23 (Avg: 27.04, Best: 3/41) |
| T20 Matches (Overall) | 121 |
| T20 Runs (Overall) | 2,523 (Avg: 28.03, SR: 136.57, HS: 104) |
| T20 Wickets (Overall) | 42 (Avg: 23.16, Econ: 7.55, Best: 4/28) |
| Domestic Team | Madhya Pradesh |
| IPL Auction 2025 | Bought by KKR for ₹23.75 crore (November 24, 2024, Jeddah) |
| IPL 2024 Performance | 370 runs (Avg: 46.25, SR: 158.80), 4 fifties, key role in KKR’s title win |
| IPL 2025 Role | Retained by KKR; open to captaincy (Times of India, March 20, 2025) |
| Recent Domestic (2024-25) | Ranji Trophy: 547 runs (Avg: 45.58), 8 wickets (ESPNcricinfo, March 2025) |
| Latest Match (IPL) | May 26, 2024, vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad (Final, 52* off 26 balls, KKR won title) |
| County Stint | Lancashire (2024): One-Day Cup (151 runs, Avg: 50.33), 2 Championship matches |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | ₹50-60 crore (2025, per media reports post-IPL auction) |
| IPL Salary (2025) | ₹23.75 crore |
| Endorsements | Not extensively publicized; linked to local brands |
| Awards | Player of the Match, IPL 2021 Qualifier 2 (55 runs vs. Delhi Capitals) |
| Nickname | “Venky” |
| Residence | Indore, Madhya Pradesh (owns property in Hyderabad per X posts) |
| Car Collection | Hyundai Creta, rumored BMW (X posts, 2024) |
| Social Media (Instagram) | @venkateshiyer (engaged Shruti announcement, November 2023) |
| Languages Spoken | Hindi, English, Tamil (basic per interviews) |
| Hobbies | WWE fan, reading, fitness training |
| Favorite Cricketer | Jacques Kallis (admires all-round skills, per Crickit HT) |
| Health (Past Injury) | Ankle injury (2022-23, hotel stairs fall); fully recovered by 2023 (ESPNcricinfo) |
| Fitness Routine | Strength training, agility drills (visible in IPL 2024 form) |
| Test Aspirations | Expressed desire to play Tests (X, @weRcricket, March 20, 2025) |
| Vijay Hazare Peak | 198 vs. Punjab (2021, List A record for Madhya Pradesh) |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali 2021-22 | 155 runs (Avg: 51.66, SR: ~150) |
| IPL Century | 104 off 51 balls vs. Mumbai Indians (April 16, 2023, second KKR centurion) |
| IPL Final 2024 | 52* off 26 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes (KKR’s third title) |
| KKR Role Evolution | Opener (2021-23), No. 3/4 (2024), flexible all-rounder (2025 intent) |
| Bowling Return | Fully fit to bowl in IPL 2025 (X, @KKR_Xtra, March 21, 2024) |
| International Peak | 35* vs. West Indies (T20I, February 2022, Kolkata) |
| PhD Pursuit | Enrolled in PhD program (finance-related, aims to complete by IPL 2025, myKhel) |
| Lancashire Feedback | Praised by Phil Salt; added middle-order depth (Lancashire Cricket, July 2024) |
| IPL 2025 Readiness | “Have put in hard yards” (CNN News18, March 20, 2025) |
| Captaincy Ambition | Open to leading KKR if needed (Times of India, March 20, 2025) |
| Fan Sentiment (2025) | “Venky’s comeback season incoming” (X, @KnightsVibe, March 17, 2025) |
| KKR Auction Price Hike | From ₹20 lakh (2021) to ₹23.75 crore (2025), among IPL’s costliest (Cricbuzz) |
| Career Turning Point | IPL 2021 UAE phase (370 runs, KKR finalist) |
| Domestic Record (T20) | 137.64 SR reflects power-hitting (IPLT20.com) |
| List A Economy | Under 7 runs/over, showcases bowling control (ESPNcricinfo) |
| Mentor Influence | Gautam Gambhir (KKR 2024 success, per interviews) |
| 2024 Ranji Form | 4 fifties, strike rate over 100 (Cricbuzz, February 2025) |
| IPL 2023 Struggle | 404 runs but inconsistent; bounced back in 2024 |
| Public Persona | Humble, academic-minded, versatile (X sentiment, 2025) |
| Engagement Post | Shared on Instagram with Shruti (November 22, 2023, “Best catch of my life”) |
| PhD Motivation | Wants to be a role model beyond cricket (myKhel, 2024) |
| Latest News | Upbeat for IPL 2025, training in Kolkata (CNN News18, March 20, 2025) |
| KKR 2025 Schedule | First match vs. SRH, March 23, 2025 (IPLT20.com) |
| Bowling Intent (2025) | Aims to dominate with wickets (X, @KKR_Xtra, January 2024) |
| T20I Role | Lower-order finisher for India (ESPNcricinfo) |
| ODI Struggle | Limited impact in 2 games; yet to cement spot |
| Lancashire Stats | 151 runs, 2 wickets in One-Day Cup (Lancashire Cricket, August 2024) |
| Fan Quote (X) | “Venkatesh Iyer’s 23.75 crore price tag screams potential” (@aavishhkar, November 24, 2024) |
| County Goal | Test skills in English conditions (Lancashire Cricket, July 2024) |
| KKR Faith | Retained pre-2023, re-bought 2025, shows trust (Cricbuzz) |
| Legacy (IPL) | Second KKR centurion, third title contributor (2024) |
| Future Plans | Focus on IPL 2025, Test cricket aspirations (X, @weRcricket, March 20, 2025) |
| Latest Performance | 52* in IPL 2024 Final; eyeing bigger 2025 impact |
| Career Philosophy | “Push myself or regret later” (X, @weRcricket, March 20, 2025) |
| Current Focus | IPL 2025 prep with KKR; PhD completion by season end (myKhel) |
Venkatesh, a Madhya Pradesh cricketer, had a spectacular second phase of the IPL 2021.
For Kolkata Knight Riders, he scored quickly in the opener and also took wickets while bowling medium pace. This was the reason why the selectors put their trust in him and chose him over Hardik Pandya.
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Venkatesh, 26, also performed admirably in various domestic cricket tournaments prior to the IPL. Although Iyer is not only an all-rounder in cricket, he is also a well-educated student.
Regarding education, he holds an MBA in Finance and has passed the CA inter-test (Chartered Accountant). Iyer was offered a job by the multinational company Deloitte after earning an MBA in finance, but he continued to play cricket after encouragement from his parents.
The number of fast bowling all-rounders in Indian cricket has been low, and with Hardik Pandya’s injury, there is a void in the team. This is why the Indian selectors are now looking for Hardik’s replacements, and for the time being, they have placed their trust in Venkatesh.
Venkatesh understands this and says that if you want to keep your place in the game, you must focus on both bowling and batting. Venkatesh understands how important workload management will be for him in the future.
Venkatesh told PTI after his selection, ‘So far, my workload management has been good.’ Because I am an all-rounder, I must pay equal attention to both aspects of the game. This is what I’ve been doing since competing in age-group tournaments at the state level. It hasn’t been a major issue for me up to this point.
Iyer wishes to demonstrate his abilities in a variety of formats. “I’ve always worked hard on my red ball game, and it’s been my goal not to be limited to just one skill,” he explained.
Venkatesh Iyer Domestic Career
In March 2015, he made his Twenty20 debut against the Railways cricket team at the Holkar Stadium. In December 2015, he debuted his List A against the Saurashtra cricket team at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. On December 6, 2018, he made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2018-2019 Ranji Trophy.
Iyer, who bats at the top of the order and bowls at a medium pace for Madhya Pradesh on the domestic circuit, began his career like most Indian children do: for fun. “To be honest,” he laughs, “I started playing because my mom would often tell me to get out and burn energy instead of staying inside with books.” And then life happened, and academics took over. Cricket wouldn’t make an appearance until he was about 19 years old.
Venkatesh Iyer Left Job for cricket
Iyer was offered a job with the “Big Four” accounting firm Deloitte at its India headquarters in Bengaluru in 2018. But Venkatesh Iyer rejected the lucrative offer that any middle-class boy would dream for. Thankfully he did not have to regret it eventually, as he soon made his Ranji Trophy debut for Madhya Pradesh in December of the same year.
Venkatesh and Shreyas Iyer
Some people also believe that both Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer are brothers. But let us tell you that there is nothing like this and there is no relation between the two. Both having Iyer surname is just a coincidence.
Engagement and Marriage
On November 22, 2023, Venkatesh Iyer made a big announcement in his personal life on Instagram: he was engaged to Shruti Raghunathan. He shared three pictures of the couple from the ceremony with the caption, “On to the next chapter of my life #engaged.”
Only close family members and friends attended the private event. A combination of style and cultural heritage was evident at marriage. Cricket players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Mandeep Singh, and Ruturaj Gaikwad sent congrats after the images went viral.
Only a few days after Iyer’s IPL 2024 victory with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the couple married on May 31, 2024, in a traditional South Indian ceremony. Shruti looked stunning in a blue saree with golden embroidery, while Iyer wore a mundu. The wedding attracted a lot of attention because it was attended by family, friends, and prominent members of the KKR team, including CEO Venky Mysore and teammate Varun Chakravarthy.
With a Master’s in Fashion Management from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and a B.Com. from PSG College of Arts and Science, Shruti is a fashion professional. Up until the middle of 2023, she worked as a merchandise planner for Lifestyle International Private Limited in Bengaluru, where she oversaw inventory and strategic planning. Despite her husband’s notoriety, Shruti keeps a low profile on Instagram and keeps her account private.